Mardi Gras Parties

Just close your eyes and think of Rio

Cant wait for Fremonts annual Solstice Parade? Want to see people go apeshit, and wear significantly less clothing, right now, and youre not already flying to Rio for Carnival proper? Well, its happening in the Center of the Universe, where the OUTRAGEOUS, FABULOUS FREMONT MARDI GRAS VOODOO CARNIVAL COSTUME PARTY!!! benefits said Solstice Parade. Hosted at the Theo Chocolate (mmm) space, you can take a zydeco dance lesson and then try your moves out to Captain Leroy and the Zydeco Locals, and the Wild Rhododendrons. A king and queen contest and a midnight parade will follow, and if the normally raucous Fremont drinkers at the other bars join in, look out! And psst theres a concurrent soiree in South Seattle, with Eduardo Mendonça and Show Brazil! at the Columbia City Theater. These folks have been doing it for years and know their feathered, sequined, and spectacular stuff. Theo Chocolate, 3400 Phinney Ave., www.brownpapertickets.com. $25 adv./$30. 8 p.m. 21+. Columbia City Theater, 4916 Rainier Ave. S., 723-0088, www.ticketswest.com. $18 adv./$25. 9 p.m. RACHEL SHIMP